Group Senior Head Chef in Leeds

Group Senior Head Chef

Role overview

The Group Senior Head Chef will lead and coordinate catering services across Westward Care's four care homes in Leeds. This senior, hands-on role is responsible for consistent catering standards, operational performance, resident-focused menu development, food safety compliance and the effective leadership of kitchen teams across all locations.

The postholder will ensure that food production, service and presentation support resident wellbeing, dignity, choice and an enjoyable dining experience, while meeting Westward Care's quality, safety and financial expectations.

Key responsibilities

Strategic and operational leadership

Provide visible, hands-on leadership across all four kitchens and set clear standards for food quality, nutrition, presentation and service.

Promote consistent working practices while recognising each home's resident needs, preferences and operational requirements.

Plan regular site visits, review performance and ensure agreed improvements are completed and sustained.

Support business continuity and safe catering arrangements during staffing shortages, equipment failure or other operational disruption.

Menu planning and resident experience

Develop seasonal, resident-focused menus that provide suitable choice and meet assessed nutritional, hydration, cultural, religious and dietary needs.

Produce and display clear photographs of dishes when new menus are introduced to support resident choice and consistent presentation.

Maintain standard recipes, portion guidance and presentation standards across all homes.

Plan, coordinate and deliver a monthly fine dining experience at Southlands, ensuring high standards of menu quality, presentation, resident choice and service.

Gather and respond to resident, relative and staff feedback, using it to improve menus and the dining experience.

Food safety, allergens and compliance

Maintain high standards of food hygiene and safety across all kitchens, with the objective of achieving and retaining a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 at every care home.

Ensure each home follows the current food safety management system, HACCP controls, approved procedures and record-keeping requirements.

Prepare, maintain and regularly review an accurate allergen matrix for each home, ensuring it reflects current menus, recipes, ingredients and supplier information.

Ensure allergen controls, food labelling, traceability, temperature monitoring, cleaning, stock rotation and corrective actions are consistently applied.

Lead preparation for EHO inspections, internal audits and other assurance activity, and ensure identified actions are completed and verified.

Resident wellbeing, CQC and IDDSI

Ensure catering services support compliance with CQC requirements by meeting residents' assessed nutritional and hydration needs and respecting their choices and preferences.

Ensure texture-modified food and thickened drinks are prepared, tested, labelled, presented and recorded in accordance with the current IDDSI Framework, residents' care plans and prescribed levels.

Ensure the correct meal is provided to the correct resident using reliable meal identification and handover arrangements.

Promote dignity, choice and enjoyable mealtimes, and elevate food-related, allergen, nutritional or swallowing risks promptly.

Ensure relevant catering staff are trained and assessed as competent for the duties they perform.

People leadership and development

Support the recruitment, induction, supervision, training and development of kitchen teams across all locations.

Manage performance fairly and consistently in line with Westward Care procedures, ensuring agreed actions are recorded and followed up.

Ensure staff supervisions and development reviews are completed within required timescales.

Monitor staffing levels, vacancies, rota coverage and agency use, escalating risks and supporting safe, sustainable staffing arrangements.

Encourage teamwork, accountability and the sharing of effective practice between homes.

Financial and supplier management

Oversee food budgets, purchasing, cost control, stock management and waste reduction without compromising resident choice, nutrition or food safety.

Monitor supplier performance, product quality and value for money, and address concerns through the appropriate management process.

Use approved recipes, portion controls and stock systems to support consistent quality and responsible use of resources.

Quality assurance, reporting and continuous improvement

Complete regular kitchen inspections, audits and performance reviews, recording clear actions, owners and target dates.

Monitor catering records and compliance information on LOGIT, ensuring entries are complete, accurate and up to date.

Follow up overdue or incomplete actions promptly and verify that corrective action is effective before closure.

Investigate food safety incidents, complaints and near misses within the agreed process, identify root causes and implement proportionate corrective action.

Provide clear catering performance, compliance and risk updates to management as required.

Maintain oversight of kitchen equipment condition and contribute to maintenance, replacement and improvement plans.

Person specification

Essential qualifications and experience

A relevant catering or hospitality qualification at Level 3 or above, or substantial equivalent experience in a senior catering leadership role.

A recognised food safety qualification appropriate to a senior catering management role.

At least five years’ professional kitchen experience, including supervisory or management responsibility.

Experience of leading catering teams in a multi-site, care, healthcare, hospitality or high-volume environment.

Practical experience of menu planning, allergen management, stock control, budgeting and food safety systems.

Experience of training, supporting and developing kitchen staff.

Ability to travel regularly between Westward Care locations in Leeds.

Essential skills and attributes

Strong leadership skills with the ability to set expectations, support teams and address concerns promptly.

Good culinary knowledge, creativity and understanding of nutrition, special diets and resident-focused catering.

Clear, confident and professional communication with residents, colleagues, managers, suppliers and external officers.

Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across several locations.

Commercial awareness, including food cost, stock, waste and budget management.

Accurate record keeping and confidence using electronic compliance systems.

A practical, calm and solution-focused approach under pressure.

Commitment to dignity, choice, equality, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Desirable

Previous catering experience in adult social care or a healthcare setting.

Level 4 Food Safety qualification or equivalent.

Current knowledge and practical experience of IDDSI and dysphagia catering.

Experience of EHO and CQC inspections or assurance activity.

Experience of LOGIT or a similar electronic compliance system.

Working arrangements and benefits

This is a full-time role of 40 hours per week, worked over five days out of seven.

The rota includes alternate weekends and may include occasional evening and bank holiday work.

Annual leave entitlement is 32 days per year.

The normal place of work is Headingley Hall. Where authorised business travel to another Westward Care location is required, mileage may be claimed in accordance with the company’s business travel and expenses policy.

Additional requirements

This is a demanding, hands‑on leadership role requiring flexibility and the ability to work across multiple locations. The postholder must carry out duties safely, follow Westward Care policies and procedures, protect confidential information and complete any checks required for the role. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level for the role. The successful applicant must be registered with the DBS Update Service and maintain their subscription throughout their employment.

This job description summarises the main duties of the role. Responsibilities may be reviewed to reflect service needs, following appropriate discussion and in line with the terms of employment.

About the role

Employer

Westward Care Ltd

Base

Headingley Hall, with responsibility across all four Westward Care locations

Salary

£40,000 per annum

Hours

40 hours per week, worked over five days out of seven

Weekend working

Alternate weekends, with flexibility for occasional evenings and bank holidays

Reporting line

Group Ancillary Services Manager

About the company

We are one of Leeds' most respected health and social care providers, with a proven track record in providing award-winning care and support to older people in Leeds locations including Headingley, Methley, Beeston and Roundhay. Our network of care homes and independent living apartments is small enough to provide quality and individual care, but large enough to provide care services that are right for you, even if your circumstances change.
We passionately believe that happiness is just as important as health and that quality care should always go hand in hand with quality of life, and do all we can to make you and your loved ones feel at ease from day one.

Required Criteria

Desired Criteria

Skills you'll need

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